Every year, as the 18th of May approaches, Malta remembers the moment that changed its destiny forever: the Great Siege of 1565.

And every year, the same lazy narrative resurfaces online: '700 Knights beat 40,000 Turks. Incredible.'

That’s the quick AI-generated version now popping up everywhere in blogs, videos and social media posts designed to generate clicks and sensation rather than tell the full story. It’s also, frankly, an insult to every Maltese man, woman and child who bled for these islands.

The story, they’re not telling you

The Knights of St John despite being professional soldiers, heavily armoured and brilliantly led, would not have lasted five minutes alone without the Maltese and other professional soldiers present. Without them, the story of the Great Siege could have ended very differently.

And many of those Maltese were far from helpless farmers suddenly forced to learn the art of war. Many were seasoned corsairs. Veterans of naval battles, coastal raids and amphibious assaults on fortresses across the Mediterranean. Some Maltese corsairs had fought alongside the Knights while they were still based in Rhodes. One particularly bold Maltese corsair even attacked and stole a ship belonging to the Knights themselves.

Yes, many Maltese were farmers in winter. But in summer, some became Ottoman nightmares, working as corsairs across the Mediterranean. They were not all farmers unaccustomed to the art of war. They were warriors. And after so many professional troops were sacrificed in the defence of Fort St Elmo, the Knights would come to depend more heavily than ever on the courage and fighting strength of these Maltese.

'The stubbornness and courage of every Maltese person to defend their island to the last drop of blood were grossly underestimated by the Ottoman forces.'

And it is this often-overlooked side of the story that Giacomo, award-winning tour guide and founder of Malta Themed Tours, wants to bring to life through his immersive Great Siege of 1565 walking tour in Birgu.

The Great Siege through Maltese eyes

Rather than simply retelling the familiar story of Grand Masters, Knights and Ottoman commanders, this experience explores the Great Siege from a different perspective: that of the Maltese people and ordinary soldiers who lived, fought, suffered and died during one of the most extraordinary battles in Mediterranean history.

'In fact, the historical personality I portray, interpret and step into the shoes of isn’t fictional. He’s an actual, fully documented Maltese corsair who fought in the Great Siege…A real name, a real life and a real story that has been hiding in plain sight. His story is accessible in the historical records, yet most Maltese people don’t even know he existed. It’s time to change that!'

Giacomo also goes on to say:

'Growing up Maltese, the story of the Great Siege has fascinated and inspired me since early childhood. I’ve put my heart and soul into creating this tour for my guests because I believe you shouldn’t simply observe history; you should experience it. And, in this case, experience it from the Maltese perspective which deserves much more attention.'

An award-winning approach to history

Malta Themed Tours has been recognised as a leader for creating immersive experiences for travellers seeking history, culture and authenticity.

This niche-specific Great Siege experience goes beyond traditional tourist attractions to uncover the hidden human story of the siege: the major battles, the key personalities and, above all, the Maltese themselves, reclaimed as the protagonists they always were.

Through high-impact storytelling in one of Europe’s most historically rich destinations, the tour brings the events of 1565 vividly back to life.

Led by Maltese tour guide Giacomo Muscat, it is the kind of immersive, niche-specific and story-driven experience that was recognised at the Malta Tourism Awards 2025, where Malta Themed Tours received not one but two awards and achieving a historic double win on its very first entry.

The Great Siege experience continues that same philosophy and is a must-do Malta experience for Great Siege enthusiasts and anyone who wants to understand what it truly means to fight for an island you love.

This is more than just a walking tour; it’s a historical story you step into. You won’t just hear about the Great Siege, you will understand it, feel it and experience the battles, decisions, acts of courage and moments of sheer desperation that determined the fate of Malta. You’ll walk away seeing Malta and its people in a completely different light.

Yet bringing the brutality of 1565 to life does not mean glorifying war. Quite the opposite. At its heart, this Great Siege walking experience is also an anti-war story, exploring the terrible human cost of conflict and the suffering endured by ordinary people caught between opposing forces.

Behind the famous battles, military strategies and legendary commanders were thousands of human beings on either side …soldiers and civilians from all over the Mediterranean and beyond, who suffered, bled and died.

The tour approaches their stories with respect, acknowledging extraordinary courage and sacrifice without romanticising the brutality of war.

History should not only teach us how battles were won and lost. It should remind us of the devastating consequences of conflict and how, regardless of which side ultimately claims victory, ordinary people so often pay the highest price, a reality that, sadly, remains just as painfully true in the 21st century.

Choose your 1565 Great Siege experience

The Great Siege Tour Birgu is available as a Scheduled Walking Tour for those wishing to join a group and enjoy an accessible introduction to the events of 1565.

For visitors seeking a more personal experience, private tours are also available in two versions.

The private 1565 Great Siege CLASSIC Walking Tour follows the same route and format as the scheduled walking tour. It is perfect for those who want to combine Birgu’s major historical attractions with hidden corners and off-the-beaten-track locations while enjoying a comfortable and relatively easy pace.

For the more adventurous, there is the private 1565 Great Siege EXPLORER Walking Tour - an almost entirely off-the-beaten-track exploration of Birgu.

This experience ventures far beyond the classic trail and into hidden fortifications, forgotten gun batteries, secret defensive positions and some of Birgu’s lesser-known historical locations. Expect steep stairs, uneven ground and a richer, more adventurous exploration of the Great Siege of 1565. Not for the faint-hearted. Or the short of breath. But worth every step and breath.

Whichever experience you choose, expect chaos, courage, bloodshed and a deep appreciation for avoiding war.

Discover the Great Siege of 1565 with Malta Themed Tours

This is a must-do Malta experience for Great Siege enthusiasts, history lovers and anyone who wants to understand what it truly means to fight for an island you love, or a war you’re forced into and its consequences!

Because the Great Siege was not simply the story of a few hundred Knights standing against an empire, it was the story of an island caught at the crossroads of history.

Of soldiers and civilians. Of Knights and corsairs. Of men and women who refused to surrender their home. And 460 years later, their stories deserve to be told.

P.S. Looking for a Great Siege Picture guidebook during your visit to Malta?

In collaboration with Miller Distributors Ltd, Malta Themed Tours has also helped create a brand-new illustrated guidebook to the Great Siege of 1565, available in many souvenir and book shops around Malta.

Colourful, visual and entertaining, the book takes readers on an accessible journey through the personalities, battles, bloodshed, bravery and sheer madness of the siege that changed the course of Malta’s history forever.

Are you ready to discover Malta's history?